Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won won the People Power Party preliminary primary for North Gyeongsang governor. In the remaining main race, the final nominee will be decided in a head-to-head between Kim and the incumbent governor, Lee Cheol-woo.
On Mar. 20, Lee Jeong-hyeon, People Power Party nomination management committee chairperson, said in a briefing after a general meeting at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that "Kim Jae-won has been selected to advance to the main primary for People Power Party North Gyeongsang governor in the 9th nationwide local elections."
The North Gyeongsang preliminary primary was conducted with votes from responsible party members (70%) and a general opinion poll (30%). The party-member vote was carried out by two polling institutes, each surveying 750 people on the 18th–19th, for a total of 1,500.
The chairperson said, "The North Gyeongsang governor candidates asked for a fair primary and proposed extending the campaign period between the finalist and the sitting governor," adding, "At the candidates' request, we will extend the campaign period from the end of March as originally planned to mid-April."
Regarding the North Chungcheong governor nomination, after controversy, the party confirmed a policy of an all-candidate primary. The chairperson said, "We decided to choose the nominee through a primary in which everyone except those excluded from nomination will participate," adding, "We comprehensively considered regional characteristics in North Chungcheong, stability in provincial administration, and the principle of fair competition."
The North Chungcheong primary schedule has also been set. From the 29th to Apr. 9, two candidate debates will be held, followed by campaigning from Apr. 9 to 13. Then, through the main primary on Apr. 15–16, the final nominee will be selected by combining 50% responsible party member votes and 50% general public polling. The final nominee is scheduled to be announced on Apr. 17.
In the North Chungcheong governor primary, excluding Governor Kim Young-hwan, who was barred from nomination, former lawmaker Kim Su-min, former Chungju Mayor Cho Gil-hyeong, attorney Yoon Gap-geun, and former Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun will be able to participate.
The nomination committee granted eligibility to participate to the former mayor, Cho, on grounds including that although Cho withdrew as a preliminary candidate, the run itself was not canceled. However, given that Cho and others had opposed the "Kim Su-min pre-selection" talk, it remains unclear whether they will actually take part.
The chairperson said, "Former Mayor Cho is a very precious and valuable talent, so we will make sure to invite Cho to join us," adding, "We have not released the primary method. We will earnestly ask Former Mayor Cho to open his heart and take part."